How Does the Pause Feature Affect Hard Drive Lifespan in PVR Systems?

Dave Martin's explanation covers the mechanics of how the pause function on a PVR (Personal Video Recorder) works, but it's essential to delve into the scenarios where using the pause function can lead to increased hard drive wear over time. This article aims to address these issues and provide insights into how the pause feature interacts with the hard drive, especially in the context of live TV and resumed playback.

The Mechanics of the Pause Feature

Pausing a PVR, whether for recorded or live content, involves a process where the frame currently being displayed is temporarily stored in memory or a fast buffer. Concurrently, the hard drive continues recording the live stream. When the pause is lifted, the system must handle playback from two different sources: the paused buffer and the ongoing live recording.

This dual task can lead to increased head thrashing as the hard drive seeks to retrieve data from different parts of the drive. While hard drives are designed to handle such multiple requests, excessive use of the pause function over time can still cause wear and tear, especially if the hard drive is not designed for such scenarios.

Increased Wear and Tear with Paused Live TV

When pausing live TV, the system is essentially trying to maintain the current frame while simultaneously processing ongoing broadcast data. This dual task can be particularly taxing on the hard drive, as it must switch between buffered content and live data. If you frequently pause live TV and resume playback for extended periods, the increased head thrashing can result in potential wear and tear on the hard drive over time.

It's important to note that while this situation does pose a risk, modern hard drives are built to handle multiple requests efficiently. However, if you frequently use the pause function, you may want to consider switching to a surveillance drive, which is designed to handle multiple data streams simultaneously, such as those from CCTV systems with multiple cameras.

Practical Experience and Recommendations

I have extensive experience in building my own Windows Media Centre-based PVR and can testify to the fact that surveillance drives tend to last longer than consumer-grade hard drives in PVR applications. I built and utilized this PVR system for around 13 years, during which I had to replace the consumer-class drive twice.

Monitoring the health of hard drives is crucial, as any signs of issues, such as an excessive number of bad sectors, should prompt you to replace the drive before issues become noticeable. Regular health checks can help identify problems early, ensuring your PVR system remains reliable.

It's worth noting that commercial PVRs may or may not include built-in health monitoring. As a result, it's always a good idea to have a backup plan and consider using surveillance drives designed for prolonged use in such environments.

Currently, my PVR system has been using a Western Digital Purple Surveillance drive for about 4-5 years, and it continues to function perfectly well. This underscores the importance of selecting the right type of drive for your PVR setup to ensure prolonged reliability and minimize the risks of hard drive wear due to frequent use of the pause function.

In conclusion, while the pause function in PVRs is a useful feature for managing live and recorded content, its frequent and extended use can contribute to increased hard drive wear. By considering the risks and choosing the right type of drive, you can mitigate these concerns and enjoy a reliable PVR experience for many years to come.